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Home My WebLink AboutPSC minutes 9-28-17Council Public Safety Committee September 28, 2017 MINUTES Members present: Councilmember Carmen Mendez (chair) Councilmember Kathy Coffey Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez Others present: Tony Coursey The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. 1. Approval of minutes of August 24, 2017 Staff: City Manager Cliff Moore Chief Bob Stewart, Fire Capt. Gary Jones, Police S hawn Hawkins, Community D evelopment Prosecutor Cynthia Martinez, Legal B rad Coughenour, SunComm Lt. Shawn Boyle, Police S gt. Uriel Mendoza, Police Firefighter Jay Elmo, Fire Terri Croft, Police It was MOVED by Gutierrez and SECONDED by Coffey to approve the minutes as presented. Motion PASSED unanimously. 2. New Business 2.a. Special Event Fees Hawkins advised that members from two local motorcycle clubs had come before council requesting a fee waiver for their special event permits. Hawkins provided a brief history of the fee schedule adopted by council in 2014 Prior to January 2014, fees were not charged for special events that required for city services (streets, police, etc.) Staff reviewed the previous events and identified three primary categories: 1St amendment events, non-profit events, and for-profit events. Staff recommended and council accepted that 1St amendment events would not be charged a fee, non-profit events would be charged a 50% reduced fee, and for-profit events would pay the full fee. MRSE was consulted to determine the appropriate event rates. Prior to 2013, the city was paying between $40,000-$60,000 in overtime for special events. Jones noted the difference between off-duty employment and overtime. Off-duty employment is a lower rate than overtime with different levels of service and liability. Gutierrez was unsure of how cost -prohibitive the fees were for the organizations and suggested obtaining sponsorship to cover the fees. Coffey relayed that at the time the ordinance was passed, the council felt it would be a good opportunity for the community to step up and provide sponsorship for the non-profit events. She noted that the city already makes allowances for events that benefit the whole community. Mendez express that she did not think additional exemptions should be created and that the non-profit groups should seek sponsors. The committee recommended no changes to the current ordinance. They expressed their desire to encourage sponsorship and also continue the discussion of the fee schedule on a broader scale, rather than discussing specific groups and events. It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Mendez to recommend the ordinance remain as is to the full council. Motion PASSED unanimously. 2.b. Youth Firesetter Program Elmo reported on the Youth Firesetter Program, which he has been the director of for the past 7 years. The program was created as an education and intervention program for youths who set fires. Since January 2016, 69 youths have been through the program. In 2015, fire staff attended fire intervention and prevention training. Fire staff has the ability to do onsite interviews and tracking. The Yakima Fire Department has sponsored a Level 1 intervention class to get all ESD 105 counselors certified, and is the only department to take steps to certify school counselors. Their hope is to get all Yakima County counselors certified. Currently there are 23 certified interventionists. There is another class being sponsored October 26 & 27 Elmo also reported that National Fire Prevention Week will be held in October. He advised that non-profit status had been finalized in August to permit fundraising for training materials and supplies for the Youth Firesetter Program. Mendez advised she had invited Stewart to bring this presentation to the committee to highlight the excellent work they are doing. Coffey inquired if the program might be submitted to AWC for recognition. 3. Old Business 3.e. Public forum planning Due to committee member obligations, item 3e was moved up for earlier discussion. Gutierrez is working on a 2nd forum for District 1. She requested assistance from Moore in securing the Garfield Elementary gymnasium on either October 25, October 26, or N ovember 9 at 6:00 p.m. She is also working with James Parks to see if the OIC gym might be available. Gloria Aparicio from District 2 was requesting a Spanish-language forum Gutierrez will continue to attempt contact with her. Mendez is working on a forum from District 3. D istrict 4 has a forum set for Saturday, October 14 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Church. There had been previous discussion of having two separate forums for business owners and residential neighbors. The coordinator requested to hold them together. D istrict 5 has two parties interested in holding forums Dory Baker is looking for a date and location, and Tony Coursey has requested a forum for the 16th Avenue/Hathaway area Will ask OIC if a District 5 forum could be held there, or possibly Robertson E lementary. There have been no requests from Districts 6 or 7. N eed a police officer to attend the October 14th forum. Jones will ensure someone is assigned. Coffey will facilitate the forum and also contact DAY to see if they will assist with outreach. 3.a. Central Washington Catholic Foundation community forum Moore reminded the group that there is an invitation for up to 4 members per organization to attend the forum with Father Greg Boyle on October 7. The fundraising dinner that night has been sold out. 3.b. Domestic Violence Mendez requested "stand up against domestic violence" spots be created before the end of the year. Moore will address with Beehler to coordinate. 3.d. Governor's October/November visit planning Moore reported on the newest information regarding the upcoming listening session with Governor Inslee. He will be here October 5 for a 90 minute session requesting a brief panel presentation from law enforcement, faith community, elected officials, non- profit and education on gang and gun violence. Recommended Gutierrez to be the elected representative on the panel. The agenda will be opening comments from the governor, panel presentation, table top breakout sessions to cover any topics or issues not covered by the panel, reports from the table top discussions, and closing comments from the governor. The event will be at the Black Box Theater. Coffey advised to spend some time brainstorming on the common message, the desired outcome, and the "ask" of the governor. That brainstorming meeting will be scheduled for Monday or Tuesday (October 2-3). 3.c. Downtown Camera Survey The downtown camera survey was presented for information. 4. Other Business There was no other business. 5. Information items Stewart reported that Narcan is now stocked on all fire apparatus. Two lives have been saved in September directly attributable to Narcan availability. 6. Audience Participation No audience participation 7. Adjournment It was MOVED by Coffey and SECONDED by Gutierrez to adjourn the meeting. Motion PASSED unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Approved: